This weekend was all about spending quality time with a close friend that I hadn’t seen in quite some time. We have been friends for over 10 years, and between the two of us have lived in B.C., Ontario, and Quebec, visiting each other and exploring many beautiful Canadian cities together. We spent the weekend catching up over lattes and pastries, discovering local shops, walking along serene trails, and enjoying some incredible farm-to-table food.
Day 1 – Friday Afternoon & Evening: Dive right into some local gems
The Pottery
We took the ferry from Victoria to Fulford Harbour, and as soon as we arrived on the island we went straight to The Pottery on SSI. Here you can find some incredible pottery and beautiful pieces made by over 70 local artists from Salt Spring and all around B.C. If you like collecting special keepsakes from your travels like I do, you will definitely find something wonderful to take home with you.
After you’re done exploring here you can also check out the Salt Spring Mercantile – they have groceries, some great local products, fresh baked goods from Francis Bread (more on that below), and other products from around the island – you can grab anything you may need before heading to where you’re staying (bath bombs and fresh bread, anyone?).
Salt Spring Cheese Shop
Next, head to Salt Spring Island Cheese to sample their delicious cheeses and to see how they are locally made using the finest ingredients. We sampled the chili chevre, smoked salmon and capers chevre, and the garlic chevre, which were all perfectly paired with some local jams and spreads. They also have a cafe that is open from July until Labour Day, so be sure to check that out if you visit in the summer. For cheese lovers, they also have a cheese club where they prepare specialty cheese boxes which are available for delivery across Canada.
Check into your cozy Airbnb: Maple Tree Guest House
We were absolutely blown away as soon as we stepped into the Maple Tree Guest House. We could tell that it was a very special place that was intentionally and thoughtfully designed.
It was a warm, and inviting space, and a perfect base for us to explore the island. Our hosts, Marlene and Harry, were very accommodating and even provided some fresh eggs and cream.
I have stayed at a lot of Airbnbs all over the world, and this was definitely one of my favourites – I didn’t want to leave! We were both blown away by how gorgeous this place was. I would highly recommend staying here on your trip to Salt Spring Island.
Try the best chicken burger in town: Dinner at Casette
After you’ve spent some time unwinding and relaxing, head to Casette Cafe & Dive Bar for dinner. We shared their Korean Nuggets to start – get them, trust me! We also tried their mango and raspberry sodas which were yummy and refreshing. The service was friendly, the atmosphere was laid back, and the food was delicious. We both had their chicken burger for dinner, and I can see why this is a crowd-pleaser! Although, all their burgers looked really good – you can’t go wrong.
With our travel day and first bit of exploring done, we were ready to head back to our cozy Airbnb and enjoy some lavender hot chocolate (from Salt Spring Cheese Shop!) by the fireplace.
Day 2 – Saturday, Explore some Salt Spring Island Favourites
Francis Bread
Is there a better way to start your Saturday morning than catching up with a dear friend over fresh pastries and tea? Start your morning off with some divine pastries at a small-town bakery. Head to Francis Bread to do just that. This spot is popular, and there is limited seating inside, so I would recommend getting there early if you want to sit inside and enjoy your treats. We tried their classic croissant and the miso chocolate chip brown butter cookie – this was to die for! Make sure you try it 🙂
Woodshed
We then popped into Woodshed, which is conveniently right next to Francis Bread, so you must stop by if you are in the area. They have delicious baked goods as well, and lots of amazing pre-made meals and treats to go. If you want to have a cozy evening in, you could definitely find everything you need here. You could also stock up before leaving Salt Spring and enjoy some of their yummy offerings at home. It’s just an all-around beautiful spot to check out – I loved their floral arrangements too.
Salt Spring Kitchen Co
Nextdoor you will find the infamous Salt Spring Kitchen Co. where you can see and sample their popular gourmet jams, preserves and hot sauces. They have beautiful products, gift packs, and cheeses. After visiting Woodshed and Salt Spring Kitchen Co, you will have everything you need for a perfect night.
Time to get outside
Unfortunately the weather wasn’t ideal when we visited in February (very rainy), so we opted to stay indoors and have a cozy and relaxing weekend. However, many locals recommended Mount Maxwell Provincial Park for hikes with nice views. Other hikes/spots that are on my list for next time are Burgoyne Bay Provincial Park, Mt. Erskine, and Vesuvius Beach.
Salt Spring Wild Cider
Warm up with some cider and charcuterie at a favourite local hangout. Our next stop was Salt Spring Wild Cider, where we sampled some delicious ciders and shared a delicious charcuterie board. Their covered patio with heat lamps was an awesome spot to spend a rainy afternoon. This would be an awesome place to visit in the summer as their outdoor space is beautiful and quite expansive. You could also bring your dog to their outdoor space which is always a bonus!
Enjoy some pretty flowers and plants: Foxglove Store
We then saw the Foxglove Store as we were driving and decided to pop in. We’re so glad we did! They had beautiful flowers, plants, and homegoods. We had fun browsing and it’s a quick little stop quite close to the cidery. One of my favourite things about Salt Spring is all the cute local stores and small businesses that you find just by exploring the island.
Don’t miss dinner at a new local restaurant: Off the Hook
We had an incredible dinner at a new restaurant on Salt Spring, Off the Hook. When we went, they were featuring a special Carribean menu, as they were offering different types of cuisine each week which was quite neat. We shared a few of their special offerings and then tried two of their classic sushi rolls as that is what they are known for. The service was welcoming, attentive and very friendly. It was a fun place to try!
Day 3 – Sunday on Salt Spring Island
Drive to the north end of the island for their famous cinnamon buns and sourdough bread.
Start your day at North End Farm and make sure you get there right when they open if you’d like a chance of picking up one of their incredible cinnamon buns. We were able to get cinnamon buns and sourdough bread, and we also checked out their fresh local produce. You can pay by cash (honour system) or e-transfer. We then had fun visiting their cute animals on the property before heading to breakfast.
Have breakfast in a unique treehouse
We then visited Tree House Cafe for a scrumptious and filling breakfast. It is a pretty unique place as it’s built around a tree and the space really reflects that. It’s not every morning you get to eat breakfast in a place like this! The portions are very generous, the service was extremely friendly, and we loved our London Fogs.
Explore Local Shops
Find some fun souvenirs to take home while supporting local. After breakfast we explored some amazing local shops including Folk, Twang and Pearl, Black Sheep Books and Harlans – Salt Spring Chocolate Shop before heading to the ferry to head home. I love browsing and finding special gifts and souvenirs in small shops whenever I travel, it’s one of my favourite things to do. Each of these places had so much to offer and I really had to exercise some self-restraint as I could have taken lots home with me! I’m sure you’ll enjoy checking out these gems.
Next Time on Salt Spring Island
I felt really good about everything we were able to see, visit and try over our weekend. However, there are a few things that I already have on my list for my next visit, hopefully one summer!
- Farm Stands: I would love to check out their famous farm stands in the summer as they are known to have amazing fruit, veggies, eggs, and flowers (bring cash!)
- Lavender: A visit to Lavender & Black just to browse or to attend one of their workshops
- Flower School: Finally, I would absolutely love to visit Bullock Lake Farm to attend a workshop at their farm-based Flower School – how cute is that!?
I hope you enjoy your time on Salt Spring Island as much as we did! I can’t wait to go back. Happy exploring 🙂
Our visit was from Feb 21-23, 2025
Check out more of my BC adventures here.
Tazmin is a policy analyst and educator with a passion for travel. She has recently returned to her hometown of Vancouver, BC, after living in Ottawa, where she’s excited to rediscover the beauty of the West Coast with her Mini Aussie, Luna. A lover of small towns, cozy coffee shops, and scenic hikes, Tazmin shares her adventures and insights as a writer for Little Miss Ottawa. You can follow her adventures @travelwithtazmin
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